Ongoings in Fredericksburg

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Monthly Archives: July 2013

I was excited to find out Scotty McCreery and I have a few things in common. He is from North Carolina; I have been to North Carolina. He toured with The Band Perry and I toured their tour bus. He sang on stage with Tim McGraw and I danced on stage with Tim McGraw. His dreams came true on American Idol, and I live a dream every weekend getting on stage at Celebrate Virginia Live.

Seriously though…what I love about Scotty is we both are tenacious. Success at anything does not happen over night. You need to work hard. Scotty wanted to sing. He joined a vocal ensemble and performed at local events. He became the youngest winner of American Idol and has a Guinness World Records Book entry for being the youngest male to enter the U.S. album charts as number one.

I am not a quitter. I might have obstacles that prevent me from doing some things, but I find away to adapt and overcome. I have a tendency to wear down my doctors and eventually they allow me to try things with modifications.

I have lots of dreams. I want to be an actress, model, singer, talk show host, CIA Agent, and veterinarian. The most important thing is to be determined and dedicated. Follow those dreams.

For the last couple of weeks we have showcased a child singer each week at CVL to perform the National Anthem. This is one of the hardest songs to sing live. These kids have a dream. They want to be performing on stage one day professionally. Through Project 324 we give them an opportunity to experience singing on stage in front of a crowd. Hopefully that moment will drive the passion for them to keep working towards their dreams. You never know they could someday be the next “American Idol”.

Never let go of your dreams, even if they don’t come easy. Work hard and be determined. It will be worth it in the end.

I can’t wait to welcome Scotty McCreery this weekend to Celebrate Virginia Live Pancho Villa Pavillion. I hope we get a chance to talk. Maybe he will allow me to take him for a spin on the golf cart. I have only run over a few toes. I am doing much better now. I should challenge him to a bull ride.

I hope you will join me this weekend. We always have a great time. Tickets are available online and at Legends. Oh! and by the way…Legends makes a killer pasta primavera.

Love,

Megs

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams”.

I find it very exciting waiting to see what artists will be coming to Celebrate Virginia Live. I am always offering up “my” choices to the team. I also know a ton of things must happen behind the scenes to bring an artist to Fredericksburg.

A few weeks ago when Hank William Jr. was announced I started my research. I know I had heard the name, but I wasn’t exactly sure I knew who he was. Then my mom said, “He sang ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL the Sunday night theme”. Yes, she actually tried to sound like the theme song. I looked at her with the “ok” look. Then my brother chimed in and said, “Megan, he sings Family Tradition”. Well why didn’t they say that first. I know that song. The more I researched and heard his music, the more inspired I became to write my post.

I love music. I love hearing all genres. I also love the way music makes me feel. Music has played a big part in my life. Each step of my medical journey different songs speak to me. Mom calls them my “theme songs”. Music has a big influence on my life. The more I read about the artist I find they also had life stories that influence who they are, where they have been, and where they are going.

When Hank Williams Jr. was 26 his life was turned upside down when he was seriously injured in a mountain climbing accident. Two years and nine major surgeries later, Hank Williams Jr. emerged with a new look consisting of a full beard, cowboy hat, and dark glasses.

I could really identify with what it feels like to recover from a medical obstacle. I spent three years recovering from my stroke. Sometimes it seems like you just want to give up. Hank Williams Jr. could have decided to just fade away, but he took the time to heal and came back stronger proving a “Country Boy Can Survive”.

I hope you will come out and join us July 20th as we welcome Hank Williams Jr. to Celebrate Virginia Live. Tickets are available online at Legends Sports Grille.

Love.

Megs

“If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music.”

If you have met me you know I love giving back. My charities fill my heart. I am so thankful to be apart of Project 324 the Official Charity of Celebrate Virginia Live. Project 324 is about bringing the arts and the community together, whether on stage, over the airwaves, or on film, we ensure that artistic and cultural drive is available, accessible, enjoyed, and preserved.

This past concert I was proud to introduce Jasmine Sen an 8 year old from M&S Studio who sang the National Anthem along with the Quantico Young Marines Color Guard. They were awesome. Jasmine has an amazing voice. I fell in love with the stage when I was 8. I also was a student at M&S Studio. I was taking dance classes to strengthen my body after my stroke. What started as therapy turned into a passion. Nothing is more exciting to me than being on stage and looking out into the crowd. When the lights hit me I am ready to do my thing. I encourage everyone to embrace the arts. If you have a secret talent, tap into it. You will be amazed how it will make you feel.

Our next concert is this Saturday, July 20th. Hank Williams Jr will be in town. We have some awesome opening acts. Bring a blanket or a chair and come on out. Tickets are going fast. Don’t miss another fantastic night in the ‘Burg.

See you on stage,

Megs

“If you ask me what I came to do in this world, I, an artist, will answer you: I am here to live out loud.”

Can I tell you how much I love researching and learning about the artists who are going to perform at Celebrate Virginia Live. Last year I would talk to my mom or dad and ask them to tell me what they knew about the different artists. This year I thought it would be more fun to do the research.

It amazes me what I find. Sheryl Crow was born in February. Hey! I was born in February. She is almost a heart baby like me, minus the heart surgery. She has acted and was athlete and a musician in high school. As my dad would say, “Why choose”. She was a backup singer for Michel Jackson. She wrote jingles for commercials. She loves anything with a drum beat. That is my secret obsession. I want to learn to play the drums. Well I guess it isn’t a secret anymore J

The more I read the more I realized music is a passion for Sheryl Crow, but so is her generosity. She is a mom, a breast cancer survivor, singer, activist, and a song writer. She has been involved in the Scleroderma Research Foundation since the 90s and participates in the Wounded Warriors Project. She was shocked when she found out she had breast cancer because she didn’t have a family history. Like me she has learned that medical problems do not discriminate. I think music and songs are a wonderful way to show how you are feeling. It is amazing how much emotion can go into them. I am not a song writer but I do understand as an actress.

As I get older I am required to have more mature monologues. I have this one that my mom loves to hear me perform because it is very intense, but it is very hard for me to perform. It is a scene from “My Sisters Keeper”.

I think it is hard because it hits to close to home. My brother has had to watch me most of my life go back and forth between doctors. While I am blessed I don’t require any of his body parts to survive, I know that watching me grow up with challenges has been hard. Those feelings come out in that monologue. That is why I admire artists who can put their life events into their songs and really bring out the creative emotion.

On July 12th, many will come out to listen to Sheryl Crow play those awesome award winning songs. I am looking forward hearing her life experiences through her music.

Love,

Megs

“Every child is an artist, the problem is staying an artist when you grow up” – Pablo Picasso